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How to Grow and Care for Kale: Planting Guide 

 April 21, 2022

By  admin

Kale is just one of over 400 plants in our garden. It’s a hearty, leafy green that can grow well with little water both inside and outside. Learn what to plant around kale so it thrives!

Kale is a leafy green vegetable that can be grown in pots. It’s easy to care for, and it tastes great. Read more in detail here: how to grow kale in pots.

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Kale is a nutritious powerhouse because to its high concentrations of vitamins A, K, B6, and C. Additionally, every meal contains calcium, potassium, copper, and manganese. Raw kale offers just 33 calories and 7 grams of carbs per cup. For people who are hyperglycemic or wish to reduce weight, this makes it a realistic alternative. Do you want to try growing kale?

In your home garden, you may grow and harvest a huge crop of kale. It is the ideal alternative for novices entering into gardening since it is a nutritious snack option and easy to cultivate. 

Plant Profile: Kale  

kale

Kale is a member of the Brassicaceae family of cruciferous mustard plants. Broccoli and cabbage are also members of the same family, but growing kale is the easiest of them all. 

Kale comes in a variety of varieties. Chinese Kale, Standard Curly Kale, Lacinato Kale, and more varieties are among them. You’ll have a good understanding of how to grow kale at the Conclusion of this essay. Despite the fact that there are several sorts, we will all produce kale using the same way.

Planting Kale 

Kale is a simple vegetable to grow. This crop may be planted early in the spring for a summer harvest or late in the summer for an autumn harvest.

If You’re Growing Kale Outside,

how to grow kale

  • Step 1: If you’re growing kale in the spring, start by putting seeds straight into the soil.
  • Step 2: Kale should be sown in the garden roughly 3 to 5 weeks before the last frost in early spring. Kale may be planted 6 to 8 weeks before the first autumn frost for a fall crop. 
  • Step 3: Locate a location that is in the sun but yet has some partial shade.
  • Step 4: To guarantee optimum development of the growing kale, make sure the soil pH is between 5.5 and 6.8. 
  • Step 5: Add nitrogen-rich compost to your soil based on the results of the soil test. (If your soil was not tested, add a few inches of compost.)
  • Step 6: For sensitive leaves, the soil must drain effectively and be nourished. Apply fertilizer to the top 3 to 4 inches of soil before planting (12 cups of 5-10-10 fertilizer per 25 feet of row).
  • Step 7: Sow seeds 14 to 12 inch deep into well-drained, light soil if you’re planting seeds. 
  • Step 8: Thin the seedlings after approximately 2 weeks, spacing them 8 to 12 inches apart.
  • Step 9: Water the plants well once they have been planted.

If you’re growing kale inside, here’s what you should do.

growing kale

  • To learn how to grow kale indoors, start by getting a big, flat container to place the sprouts in. A specific growth tray, which is readily available on the market, may also be used. It’s also possible to recycle a cleaned plastic packaging.
  • Step 2: Add a few inches of potting mix to the tray or package, then dampen it with water. 
  • Step 3: Cover the top with a thick layer of kale seeds and approximately a half-inch of potting soil. 
  • Step 4: After the seeds have been sown, wet the soil.
  • Step 5: Seeds need warmth and moisture to germinate. To simulate these circumstances, cover the seed tray in which you placed the seeds. The best option would be to use a plastic bag!
  • Step 6: For the plants to thrive, they need enough of water. Every few days, check the growth trays to make sure the growing media hasn’t dried up and still shows traces of wetness. 

You may easily sow the seeds in the sun if you want larger plants. Since you began growing kale inside, you’ll need to gradually acclimate your plants to sunshine. Allow the tray of sprouts to sit in the sun for 5 days. 

With each passing day, increase the quantity of sunshine you get. This is known as hardening off, and your kale plants will thrive in no time. Plant them in holes twice as big as the root ball this time.

Basic Requirements for Growing Kale

growing kale

Once you are done with Planting Kale, there are still certain things to consider. After the how-to plant kale section, comes the how-to grow kale section. This section discusses how to grow kale in terms of its soil, water, light, temperature, and fertilizer requirements. 

1. Area 

Selecting an appropriate area is of utmost importance since kale is a cool-weather crop that requires two months of chill weather to reach harvest. Sow seeds indoors or outdoors 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost in spring or as soon as the soil can be worked. Also, Planting Kale is generally started indoors and transplanted into the garden when seedlings are 4 to 6 weeks old.

Start kale plantings in early spring for a summer harvest in areas with colder summers. Start kale plantings in the late summer months in hot summer locations for a late autumn harvest. Kale may be sown in the autumn in somewhat cold climates to ensure a good harvest by the time winter approaches. 

2. Soil

Kale grows best in humus-rich soil with a slightly acidic pH. (up to 6.8). This is due to the fact that a high nitrogen concentration is required for optimal leaf development and insect resistance. For sufficient aeration and optimum development of the growing kale, the soil should drain properly.

3. Thermometer

Always double-check the temperature of the soil. Any temperature between 50 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit would suffice. Regardless of species, all types of kale prefer cooler temperatures and will be significantly sweetened by a touch of frost. Kale becomes bitter in hot temperatures, which is not ideal. 

In most zones, kale may be grown through the winter with proper shelter, but it will succumb if exposed to hard frosts or snow. If you want a more varied yield, you may also grow other winter plants.

4. Natural light

Kale thrives in direct sunshine, but it may also thrive in partial shade. Plants that get less than 6 hours of sunlight each day will not grow as stocky leaves as others. The flavor of the plant, however, will not be impacted in any circumstance. Kale, like other crucifers, thrives in fertile, nitrogen-rich soil, which allows it to develop quickly and yield soft, green leaves.

5. Water

If it doesn’t rain, water your growing kale on a regular basis, since most plants like 1 inch of rain every 7 days. We must be cautious not to overwater the plants, as we should with many other plants. The highest quality flourishes in the absence of heat or moisture stress.

Kale harvesting

Kale harvesting

Kale is ready to harvest around 60 days after the seeds are sown, whether inside or outside. Healthy plants will grow upwards of 10 leaves at this time, with smaller leaves in the middle and bigger leaves on the exterior. Individual leaves may also be harvested by snipping the stem.

Using the scissors, cut the whole plant from just above the soil level in one snap. 

Cut the older leaves 1 inch above the ground level, leaving the fragile inner leaves alone. This will enable the expansion to continue.

Plants will be ready to pluck and eat in 25 to 30 days after planting if you want to produce baby kale.

Kale Harvesting Suggestions

Covering kale with a frost blanket can help it grow faster. This enables the cold to soak in and sweeten the kale leaves through the cloth. The frost, on the other hand, is unable to sit on the leaves and destroy them. In addition, you should sow your kale seeds in a warm spot. Although kale can grow without direct sunshine, it benefits from it since the leaves become stockier and more juicy. 

Keep an eye out for these common pests and diseases.

kale diseases

Pests and other diseases are particularly vulnerable to cruciferous plants in general. It becomes critical to recognize the start of these illnesses’ symptoms in order to effectively treat them.

Fungal Infections

Some common Fungal Infections that affect kale are:

Leaf Spot on Alternaria

These fungus, sometimes known as ‘black or brown spot,’ cause dark, unsightly blotches on the leaves. These may resemble the coloration of entirely dead areas of often dropped leaves and their surrounding concentric circles, but they’re considerably hideous. Because fungus grow in wet, moist environments, this issue is likely to worsen over the summer.

Anthracnose

The fungus that causes this illness causes moisture-free, water-deprived, and circular lesions to appear on the majority of kale plants’ developing leaves. It may also make you more vulnerable to bacterial soft root infections. Infection may come from a variety of sources, including dropped leaves, particular weeds, and manhandled or sick seeds.

Fortunately, this fungal illness is more likely to strike during the summer months, when the weather is not ideal for producing kale. Fungicides may also be used to manage this illness.

Mildewy Mildew

Mildewy Mildew’s characteristic symptom is the presence of fluffy light grey patches on the afflicted leaves. Moreover, the leaves can even exhibit yellow spots that turn brown with the passing of time.

Bacterial Infections

In the same way, the most prevalent bacterial illness that affects kale is:

Bacterial Leaf Spot is a bacterial infection that affects the leaves.

On the outer leaves or stems, little black to purple dots appear. Around the dots, yellow rings develop, which ultimately grow together to create light brown, papery patches. This causes the leaves to decay and, in extreme situations, the plant to die.

Pest Insects

Kale, like most other crops, is vulnerable to insect assaults. The following are some of the most frequent pests:

Armyworm of the Beet

This caterpillar eats leaves until they are powdered. This is the outcome of its larva’s intensive eating. Circular or irregularly shaped holes are possible.

However, no effective pesticide exists to combat these pests. Bt Kale, a genetically modified form of ordinary kale, is the only effective alternative. It secretes an inert poison that activates in the stomach of the caterpillar and kills it instantaneously.

Aphids on Cabbage

Aphids on Cabbages can be disastrous for kale and other cruciferous crops. You can identify these pests by their exterior waxy layering. In cases where less than a handful of these aphids exist on the leaves, you can prune the aforementioned leaves. However, keep in mind, more the Aphids on Cabbages, more hampering of the growth of the plant, or even its complete downfall can happen in extreme conditions.

To get rid of an infestation in the damaged plant, consider spraying them with herbal oils.

Conclusion

Our viewers now know how to grow kale, take care of it, and harvest it. We recommend that you get a nice shovel and continue to polish and fine-tune your gardening abilities. Kale is a reasonably easy-to-grow plant that provides a plethora of nutritional advantages.

Your Kale plants should grow and be properly cared for if you follow the advice in this article. Remember that fungicides and insecticides may be used to treat mild to moderate disease in kale plants in the growth stage.

Bok choy is another easy-to-grow vegetable that you may produce on your own with the help of a planting guide.

Check out some other fantastic articles!

What to Grow with Kale Companion Plants?

Kale: 10 Different Types (with Pictures)

Rhubarb’s 14 Best Types: Popular Varieties for Your Garden

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15 Fantastic Wood Fence Designs and Ideas

Kale is a hardy plant that can be grown in many different climates. It requires little care and grows quickly. Reference: how much water does kale need.

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Emil Schoene


Born and raised in Austin, TX I come from a background of home renovation. By helping my family in my younger years with their construction business, I learned the ropes quickly and as I grew it became my passion that I still do today. Looking to share my knowledge with others. I invite you to leave comments on any post as I know you will have questions that you are not finding anywhere else.

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